Chapter 343 Defying Fate
The Emperor and Empress looked at Xiao Piao with approving expressions.
Xiao Can said, "My brother and I have already entered the capital. Whether it is announced to the world or not, we are of the Xiao family bloodline. It is our fault to cause Father so much worry for us."
The Crown Prince chuckled and said, "It's still A-Piao and A-Can who are thinking about Jinzhi. It's my fault as their uncle for not considering things carefully."
The Emperor spoke up: "I am aware of the Crown Prince's considerations. I will find a suitable time to announce the identities of Can'er and Piao'er to the world."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Thank you, Father Emperor."
Everyone had a good time during the meal.
After the crown prince left with his two siblings...
The Empress sat on the soft couch and said, "I thought you would be biased towards Can'er and Piao'er when they came back."
The emperor immediately said, "What are you saying? Who am I? I am the best grandfather in the world. I raised Jinzhi from childhood. I have always treated her equally."
The empress glanced at him. "I raised him."
The emperor immediately frowned, "Why do you always distinguish between 'yours' and 'mine', you old woman?"
The Empress spoke calmly:
“Can’er and Piao’er are our own grandchildren.”
Chengqian sent the two of them away. Although they did not live in the capital, they grew up carefree by the side of Wu's younger sister.
Although Jinzhi is not my blood relative, I raised her for eighteen years, and she was no different from my own daughter.
While Can'er and Piao'er were playing and having fun, Jinzhi had already survived countless assassination attempts.
She endured so many hardships to reach the age of eighteen. If it was fate... I have no regrets. If it was human intervention, then I will overthrow your Jin state, which has enjoyed decades of peace.
For decades, this was the first time the Empress had openly revealed her true feelings to him.
"Ah Ying, do you think that just because I've ascended the throne, there's no room for anyone else in your heart? Jinzhi is also my grandson, a child I raised with my own hands. Don't I want her to grow up peacefully and happily?"
The Empress looked at the Emperor and said, "Don't you really know what Jinzhi is investigating? And why Saijin hasn't entered the capital for decades? For the sake of the country's stability, who have you let down? Can you explain it clearly?"
The emperor was silent for a moment, then said, "Ah Ying, if I had selfish motives, I wouldn't have been forced to separate from my husband, nor would I have allowed my daughter to die tragically..."
The Empress sighed, "When I was young, I always heard in plays that emperors were always powerless. Now I can understand it. The prosperous era you wanted is about to come. I only hope that my Golden Branch can see it too."
She got up and left, leaving the emperor sitting there in silence.
The emperor sat for a long time before slowly walking back to the imperial study with Hong Dequan.
"Hong Dequan, how long have you been with me?"
Hong Dequan said with a smile, "Your Majesty, it has been almost thirty years."
The emperor smiled and said, "Time flies! Do you still remember the scene when Jinzhi was sent to the palace?"
Upon hearing this, Hong Dequan immediately laughed and said, "Of course I remember. Back when the princess was sent to the palace, no one could hold her except Your Majesty. As long as Your Majesty held her, she would fall asleep. I also remember once when the princess fell asleep in your arms, you were afraid she would wake up, so you held her for two whole hours until your hands were numb and you couldn't move them."
The emperor smiled and said, "In the blink of an eye, Jinzhi has grown into a young lady. You heard the good news, didn't you? My granddaughter was able to lead troops to a great victory at the age of eighteen. Which of these worthless noble families has such a promising young generation?"
Hong Dequan was taken aback. His Majesty had not shown his true emotions to the outside world for a long time, so he must be truly proud of Qin Jinzhi.
The emperor looked at Hong Dequan and said, "Tell me, is it true that human will can conquer nature, or that the will of Heaven is irreversible?"
Hong Dequan quickly replied, "Your Majesty, how could this servant know such things? If we speak of Heaven, then Your Majesty is this servant's Heaven."
The emperor laughed and said, "Hong Dequan, you've become quite adept at speaking these days."
Hong Dequan quickly replied, "Your Majesty, these are my heartfelt words."
The emperor walked forward. "Tomorrow, I will summon Wuyou to the palace. Since he has declared that Jinzhi is destined for a short life, I will defy fate and change her destiny!"
Hong Dequan immediately replied, "Yes, sir!"
Qin Jinzhi sneezed and touched her nose.
Huo Chun immediately draped his cloak over Qin Jinzhi.
"Has Xiaobao caught a cold?"
Huo Qing sneezed loudly beside him.
Huo Chun immediately glared at him, "Get lost, it's all your fault that you infected Xiao Bao."
Huo Qing was scolded before he could even wipe it.
He rolled his eyes. "When are you going back to the border?! Get out of here!"
Huo Chun ignored him and turned to Qin Jinzhi, "How are you, Xiao Bao? Are you still cold?"
Qin Jinzhi smiled and said, "Big brother, I'm fine."
She said with some surprise, "But my elder brother actually entrusted me with full command of the Zhenbei Army. Is this spoiling, or..."
Huo Chun smiled and said, "Xiao Bao, as a member of the Huo family, it is only right for me, as your older brother, to dote on you."
But as the young master of the Zhenbei Army, we are all under your command. I will not entrust the lives of my soldiers to an incompetent young master.
When we arrived in Guanzhong, your conquest of Guanzhong was already nearing its end; this is the achievement you have left us.
Although we are far away on the border, we know everything about your situation in the capital.
As the young master, you are the wise ruler we recognize.
So, Xiaobao, everything you have, you earned it all yourself.
Qin Jinzhi smiled and said, "Thank you, brother."
Huo Qing squeezed in, "And Second Brother too."
Qin Jinzhi smiled and mounted her horse.
"Since Fengchi Kingdom is so willing to send warhorses to our Jin Kingdom, it must be because it is worried that our Jin Kingdom will not have enough horses. In that case, the people of Fengchi Kingdom shall return to Jin Kingdom with my army. Jin Kingdom's horse farms will provide you with a place to show your skills!"
When Qin Jinzhi stormed the city gates, the King of Fengchi led his troops to meet the enemy.
He was knocked off his horse by Qin Jinzhi with a Guan Dao.
At that moment, the morale of the Zhenbei Army soldiers soared to an indescribable level.
However, Huo Chun was very skeptical. Was this really Xiao Bao's first time fighting a war?
That's incredibly skillful!
The Zhenbei Army paraded through the city, escorting the prisoners of Fengchi Kingdom.
The people were not only amazed by the speed and efficiency of the Zhenbei Army, but also by the fact that the Zhenbei Army had successors.
Qin Jinzhi held the horse's reins in one hand and a Guan Dao (a type of halberd) in the other. The bloodstains on her armor and Guan Dao looked as if they had just dried.
Full of vigor and high spirits, extremely flamboyant.
News of Qin Jinzhi's great victory over Fengchi reached not only the capital.
It also reached the State of Chu.
The Qin family has always been a key focus of the Chu state.
Qin Jinzhi was no exception.
Princess Huangfu Su of Chu smiled when she saw the message sent back by her scouts.
“When she first came to me, I knew this girl was no ordinary person; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to fool my clever and shrewd nephew.”
Her maidservant said, "Princess, this Qin Jinzhi is very cunning; she has managed to hide for so many years."
Huangfu Su curled one corner of his mouth, "Only someone like this is qualified to cooperate with me."
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